Albert Einstein
- Born:
- March 14, 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany
- Died:
- April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (1879–1896), Stateless (1896–1901), Swiss (1901–1955), German (1914–1918), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist, Scientist, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Born in Ulm, Germany, to Hermann and Pauline Einstein.
- Family moved to Munich shortly after his birth.
- Received his early education at a Catholic elementary school.
- Later attended the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich.
- Renounced German citizenship at age 16.
- Attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, graduating in 1900.
- Granted Swiss citizenship in 1901.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern from 1902 to 1909.
- Published four groundbreaking papers in 1905, often referred to as his "annus mirabilis" (miracle year).
- These papers covered topics including Brownian motion, the photoelectric effect, special relativity, and mass-energy equivalence.
- Became a professor at the University of Zurich in 1909.
- Developed the theory of general relativity, published in 1915.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution, accepting a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
- Wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, warning of the potential for Germany to develop atomic weapons, which contributed to the initiation of the Manhattan Project.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - Introduces special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - Presents the mass-energy equivalence formula, E=mc².
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916) - Outlines general relativity.
- "Relativity: The Special and the General Theory" (1916) - A popular explanation of his theories.
Awards and Recognition
| Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Physics | 1921 | For his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect. |
| Matteucci Medal | 1921 | Awarded for contributions to physics. |
| Copley Medal | 1925 | Awarded by the Royal Society. |
| Max Planck Medal | 1929 | Awarded by the German Physical Society. |
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein's theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. His work laid the foundation for many technological advancements, including the development of nuclear energy and lasers. Today, many seek further insight into his genius, and therefore, researchers continue to create resources such as this lohia ram manohar biography of albert einstein, to further disseminate facts about his life and works.